Boxing

Top UFC rivalries

Ready to rumble

With the trash talk that comes with a sport like mixed martial arts, intense rivalries are often forged. Some are based off a series of fights, while others are simply based off trash talk. We take a look at the best bad-blood rivalries in the UFC today. -- Nate Lawson, Heavy.com

Dan Hardy vs. Marcus Davis

This welterweight matchup was not of grave importance by any means, but Hardy’s way with words made this one that much more appealing. Hardy (right) destroyed Davis mentally with his trash talk and Photoshop skills and won a split decision over “The Irish Hand Grenade” at UFC 99. Davis has taken taken the rivalry to a different level with ill statements, including his recent Twitter message implying his wish for Hardy to die of AIDS. -- Nate Lawson, Heavy.com

BJ Penn vs. Georges St-Pierre

Penn (left) and St-Pierre first started to have big problems after their second fight (pictured), with the Canadian winning on both occasions. Penn accused St-Pierre and his corner of applying Vaseline to the body of the welterweight champion and followed up those accusations with suggestions that the champion may have used performance enhancing drugs. -- Nate Lawson, Heavy.com

Chuck Liddell vs. Tito Ortiz

Many thought Ortiz (right) dodged a fight with Liddell when he was light heavyweight champion, but, after losing the title, Ortiz and “The Iceman” finally met for the first time with Liddell scoring the TKO. Liddell beat Ortiz a second time at UFC 66 (pictured) and the two were scheduled to meet a third time after their stint coaching opposite one another on “The Ultimate Fighter 11,” but Ortiz was forced to withdraw. -- Nate Lawson, Heavy.com

Frank Mir vs. Brock Lesnar

At UFC 81, the Mir-Lesnar rivalry began when Mir (left) came from behind to submit the former professional wrestler. Lesnar rebounded with a win of his own at UFC 100 (pictured), stopping Mir. The two have constantly made known their dislike for one another, with Mir usually taking the antagonistic role. -- Nate Lawson, Heavy.com

Rashad Evans vs. Quinton 'Rampage' Jackson

Evans (left) and Jackson seemed to hate each other ever since they locked eyes at UFC 96 following Jackson’s victory over Keith Jardine. Now after clearing several obstacles, the two fought at UFC 114 with Evans winning the decision. -- Nate Lawson, Heavy.com